Anaz-Voohri (25 page)

“Need help?" But Dylan didn’t move, just watched with open amusement, as if he already knew the answer.

“I can manage,” Zack said with irritation. He wanted to do everything by himself. He struggled up the ramp then sat on the marble edge of the pool. Turning toward the adjacent whirlpool, he eased himself into the hot water. The powerful jets immediately churned with a muffled sound, releasing a soothing lavender scent.

Dylan looked around with wonder. “As often as I’ve been in this hospital, I never suspected they had such a fancy spa up here.”

The hot pulsating streams massaged Zack’s achy legs, relaxing his stiff muscles. Within minutes, he felt much better. “Give me time to get dressed, and we can talk over lunch.”

Dylan didn’t offer to help Zack out of the hot tub and Zack felt grateful for his silence. Grabbing the ledge, he heaved himself up to a sitting position, feet dangling in the water. Then he reached for the pair of crutches lying nearby, grabbed them and struggled to his feet on his own.

Zack dragged himself on crutches toward the dressing room. There, he toweled dry, pulled on his clothes awkwardly, then sat in his waiting wheelchair. Although the strength in his legs had improved, he needed to rest them after each therapy session.

Driving his electronic wheelchair out of the dressing room into the pool atrium, Zack called to Dylan. The young man rose nonchalantly and accompanied him to the elevator, then down two floors to the cafeteria.

Among patients, visitors, physicians and nurses on lunch break, both filled their trays. Zack heaped up two plates, famished as always after water therapy. They picked a table outside on the terrace, away from the buzz of conversations. The dizzying height muffled the sounds of the city traffic below, and a light spring breeze ruffled Dylan’s long wavy hair. Zack realized Dylan didn’t want their conversation to be heard. How did he know that? Logical
guess,
or premonition?

Curiosity got the better of Zack. “So how do you harness this psychic thing?”

“It’s easy." Out of his jeans pocket, Dylan pulled out a folded map. He spread it on the table between them and pointed to one area. “My gift is called remote viewing. I understand yours is slightly different, but it works the same way. Imagine this is our search area.”

Fascinated, Zack focused on the small section of New York under Dylan’s finger. “Okay. I’m there.”

“You close your eyes, watch, listen, and look for someone with fear, someone with secrets.”

Zack snorted. “That could be anybody.”

“Seriously, man.
Look for someone different, someone who fits the hybrid profile. Unusual abilities, stamina, fast healing, a sympathetic feeling for the Anaz-voohri...”

As hard as he tried, Zack couldn’t do it. He shook his head. “This gives me a headache.”

“It’s because you are forcing it. You need to relax, empty your mind,
do
some meditation first. You’ll have to practice in a quiet place." Dylan folded the map and handed it to Zack. “Take it, and when you get a specific name and address, you report it to the ORION office.”

“As simple as that?"
Zack found the idea more than slightly disturbing if not dangerous. “And what if I am wrong?”

“At first, we can bounce names off each other, for confirmation if you will, before sending them to Carrick. But the deciding factor is not us, it’s the DNA test.”

“Of course."
Zack couldn’t help the sarcasm in his tone and didn’t mention the ten percentile of inconclusive tests. “How often have you been wrong so far?”

Dylan smiled devilishly.
“Never.”

“That accurate?"
A chill crossed Zack’s hypersensitive skin. “That’s a big responsibility... I mean, sending people to their death, just like that.”

“They are not people, but hybrids. They are the enemy. Believe me, I don’t like it either, man, but it’s a matter of survival for humanity, and we have to do what we can to help. Besides, only the guilty get executed.”

“Right."
Zack scratched an itchy knee. He’d be glad when the tactile overload stopped acting up. “How do you think Dr. Devertas acquired such advanced knowledge?”

“He’s gifted." Dylan stared at Zack with unusual intensity for one so young. “But I think he also studied hybrid specimens, experimented with their DNA. Working for ORION gives him access to secret government research no one else ever sees.”

“Makes sense." Zack wondered how much to tell Dylan, then instantly knew the youth had the adequate clearance. “Carrick talked about creating ORION’s own super-soldiers.”

“I know, and I’m sure the good doctor is involved in that project as well.”

Zack hesitated. Would his question backfire? “Do you think it’s possible the Anaz-voohri leaked out advanced technology through their hybrids?”

“To unsuspecting human doctors?"
Dylan frowned.
“Weird, but possible.
But why?”

“Could it be to take better care of hybrids in need of medical attention? It could mean that this place is crawling with hybrids.”

“I don’t know, man."
Dylan sighed. “You and I are too close to this place emotionally to detect any hybrid here, even if there were hundreds around. The information only comes if you have no attachment to the place or the person in question.”

“Too bad."
Zack instantly knew that Dylan had tried and failed. “Besides, this center has been here for a long time.”

“True. I was a just a kid when I had my eye surgery." Dylan shook his head. “But you could be right. I’ve seen some astonishing recoveries in this place, mine and yours included.”

*****

That night, alone in the assisted living studio he occupied inside the CEM for the duration of his physical therapy, Zack sat comfortably on his bed, wedged back on thick pillows to support his spine. Remembering a Zen meditation technique from his martial arts training, he attempted to empty his mind of all worldly concerns, a rather difficult task these days.

When he finally slowed the flow of thoughts roiling through his head, he focused on one person, one single entity on the face of the earth. He called her name, in hopes of conjuring images of her...in vain. Where was she? Did she ever think about him? Zack couldn’t get Tia out of his mind and all attempts to see her through his new gift had failed so far. He drew a total blank. How he missed her...

He’d read somewhere that psychic subjects remained blind to their personal fate and that of the people they loved. Somehow, their subconscious refused to tell them about what mattered to them. How ironic. But it might be a blessing in disguise.

Tia had probably moved on long ago. By now she’d have taken another lover, forgotten about him. And it was just as well. Zack wasn’t a whole man, not yet. But more importantly, he realized he’d aged during his horrendous experience. He’d changed so much he wasn’t the same man Tia once loved. He’d never be that man again.

Shaking the sadness, disgusted by his inability to see the only person who really mattered to him, Zack snatched the map from the bedside table. He unfolded and smoothed it out on the bed in front of him. It would be easier to detect strangers with whom he had no emotional connection.

Still unable to see anything, Zack crumpled the map and threw it across the room. He knew too many people in New York to be of any use as a hybrid seeker. So he pulled out his epad and said, “Show me a map of China." Fairly sure he had no emotional connections
there,
Zack entered a meditative state and set out on a psychic search for some Chinese hybrids.

Chapter Eighteen

New York
, 2014

Within three months, Zack had gained enough strength in his legs to walk unaided. He only carried a cane as a precaution. He still had to perform specific exercise routines at the CEM gym every morning, and after today’s session, he’d taken a cab to ORION’s New York headquarters. It felt so good to be walking again. He would never look at a disabled person the same way.

First day back on the job... His friend Carrick had been particularly supportive and helpful during his hospital stay. Zack also looked forward to working with young Dylan.

“Welcome back." Carrick grinned as he rose. He’d been waiting in Zack’s office.

Zack considered the regular office chair behind his desk and smiled. “Does this place look smaller? Or is it just me?" He felt so privileged to have escaped the wheelchair.

 
“It’s still the same, as if you never left." Carrick shook Zack’s hand. “Your detection of the Chinese hybrid cell proved extremely accurate. Their DNA checked positive, and we are planning a raid in a few days.”

“Glad to hear it." The positive ID, as opposed to inconclusive, set Zack’s mind at ease. “I wish I could go with you on that raid.”

“Me, too, but don’t worry. Within a few months, you’ll be back with me in the field, kicking fucking hybrid ass.”

Other thoughts had haunted Zack during this last week. “I need to ask a favor from you.”

“A favor?"
Carrick perked up at the word. “Shoot.
Anything for a friend.”

“There is this girl...”

“For crying out loud!"
Carrick slapped his thigh. “You just got your legs back and you’re already thinking about girls?”

“This one is different...”

“I see..." Carrick considered his friend seriously. “You really care about her?”

Zack nodded. “I would like to find out if she is still available, before I make a fool of myself by contacting her.”

“Well, you picked the right man for the job. What’s her name?”

“Tia Vargas. She’s a Captain now. I met her in the OES." Zack didn’t mention she was his Second
In
Command.

”Operation Earth Shield?
Your old unit?
You devil. When is the last time you had contact with her?”

“She was with me when I almost blew up. That’s the last time I remember." Zack would never forget that fated raid, but he didn’t tell Carrick he’d jumped in front of the alien explosive device to save her life.

“That was five fucking years ago! And you still think about her?”

“I do." As a matter of fact, Zack thought about her every single day. “I didn’t want to impose my infirmities on her, but now...”

Carrick pounded his shoulder. “Don’t worry, my friend, I’ll find out everything there is to know about this Tia Vargas.”

*****

As he left Zack’s office, Carrick wondered whether this woman, who seemed so important to his friend, would be an asset or a problem. Carrick had great plans for Zack. With such super-abilities, he would become an important part of the puzzle Carrick assembled for his ambitions. And since Zack owed his new lease on life to Carrick, the dear man would forever be indebted to him. What a perfect way to forge loyalties!

Carrick had secured many devoted supporters that way. Others, less willing, served him only for fear he’d divulge their darkest secrets. Knowledge was power, and Carrick would use every bit of information he could find. Could Tia Vargas give Carrick more leverage on Zack?

Once in his office, Carrick entered his secret code in his computer and applied his thumb scan before searching the confidential military records. The name Tia Vargas brought forth the complete file and portrait of a striking Latina. Carrick whistled softly. No wonder Zack was smitten. But the woman exuded strength, too much for Carrick’s taste. Besides, he preferred blondes.

As he read the records, Carrick was impressed by the many achievements of Tia Vargas as a soldier. Unfortunately, despite the best military training, everything in her records suggested a strong-headed individual who supported human rights. She’d even been cited for championing questionable political leaders, like Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan President. Such a free-thinker as Tia Vargas could influence Zack’s judgment in ways Carrick found unacceptable. He’d invested too much in Zack to risk losing him now. ORION came first.

Further research revealed that Tia Vargas was still single and, as far as the records showed, unattached. Her father, a diplomat from Venezuela, had a coffee plantation. But Carrick knew an easy way to get rid of a potential problem, in all anonymity, without making unnecessary waves.

As he composed his email to Tia Vargas, Carrick chose his words carefully.

It is with the deepest regrets, that we inform you of the passing of Captain Zack Duncan, wounded during a raid in May of 2009. He died three months ago in the CEM in New York, from the long term consequences of his severe injuries. According to his last wishes, he was cremated and his ashes scattered in space. We apologize for the late notice, but we only found your name among his belongings a few days ago while clearing a locker. We assumed you would wish to be notified. If you were a friend, we share in your grief. Captain Zack Duncan was liked by all the military and medical staff he came in contact with. Sincerely, Patient Relations Department - CEM New York